Free rides for women starting 1 pm this Sunday

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The much awaited 'free travel for women' scheme, also called Shakti scheme, will become operational from 1 pm on Sunday (June 11), announced Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday.

The scheme will offer women in the state free travel in government buses except luxury buses. The CM himself will inaugurate the Shakhi scheme while district in -charge ministers will inaugurate the scheme in their district headquarters.

Siddaramaiah will also unveil the model of a logo and smart card on the occasion. Under the Shakti scheme, women can avail free travel in 94 per centf government buses under three state transport corporations with deluxe and AC buses being the exceptions.

Another scheme, Anna Bhagya, which seeks to provide 10 kg free rice to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya card holders, will bec o m e operational from July 1. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa were present.